Epson Equity Ie Product Support Bulletin

Product Support Bulletin

Subject: Proper Method for Running Benchmark and Diagnostics Programs

EPSON

Date: 06/04/93 Page(s): 1 of 1

This bulletin describes the proper method for running any benchmark or diagnostics programs. This applies to any computer system.

In most cases, the computer should be started using an MS-DOS boot diskette that’s ‘clean’ The appropriate executable can then be run, either from diskette or hard drive.

There will be some exceptions to the above rule. In attempting to benchmark or troubleshoot any add-on that requires a device driver (CD-ROM, local area network,

etc.), obviously the necessary device driver(s) must be loaded. Also, some

programs will require a minimum number of FILES or BUFFERS to be defined in the CONFIG.SYS file. Such programs will usually display this requirement if they are run without the necessary CONFIG.SYS file.

For the most consistent results, use the absolute minimal boot configuration that’s

allowed by the hardware being tested.

in other words, one with no CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT files.

PSB No: S-0158 Originator: MWT

Product Support Bulletin

Subject: Equity le - Early ROM BIOS Problem with Miniscribe 8425F Date:

Page(s): 1 of 1 A problem has been reported in the Equity le when using ROM BIOS versions earlier

than release 1.76. This version has been used in production units since September

1989. The Miniscribe 8425F hard disk drive may generate a “1701" error message

when a cold boot (power switch OFF and ON) after a warm boot (software reset or

pushing the reset switch) is executed. When the warm boot is executed, BIOS writes the status of the warm boot to the

ROM BIOS scratch register. When a cold boot is executed after a warm boot, BIOS should erase the status in the scratch register, however, the early BIOS does not erase the status. The BIOS reads it as a warm boot and executes the POD, skipping

the video check and the RAM check and checking the hard disk directory. This

happens too fast for the Miniscribe 8425F hard disk drive to get ready for the BIOS check, so it shows the “1701 error message. hard disk is already ready, so no error message is generated.

lf this problem is encountered, run the ROMBIOS program and check the ROM BIOS version to determine if the system needs the current version of BIOS release 1.76.

Please refer to ECN No. EQIE-005, dated 9/15/89, which described the EQUlTY le

ROM BIOS release 1.76 (CMTR-A06, -B06).

10/10/90

In the case of the warm boot only, the

PSB No: S-0124 Originator: REM

Product Support Bulletin

Subject: Equity le -

Date: 6/26/90 Page:

1 of 1

When using Lotus 1

Lotus 1 - 2- 3 Graph Patch Program

PSB No: S-0121

- 2- 3 (ver. 2.01) with the Hercules Monochrome board or an Epson MGA board set for monochrome mode, the system displays garbage (usually a checker board pattern) when using graphics. This also occurs if the 90 x 25 text mode is selected in the Lotus INSTALL program, since Hercules graphics mode is utilized.

The solution for this problem is to disable the internal MCGA video by creating and using the program listed below. Run the MS - DOS supplied

DEBUG program and type in the following:

Comments only - do not type in

-A xxxx:0100 in AL,65 ; xxxx:0102 and AL,FB ; xxxx:0104 out 65,AL ; xxx"0106 int 20 xxxx:0108

-NMCGADIS.COM ;

-RCX CX 0000 :8

-W Writing 0008 bytes

-Q

Get current value of equipment enable register. Clear video enable bit to disable MCGA. Output new value to the equipment enable register. End of program.

; :

Press <Enter> key here. Specify name of program as “MCGADIS.COM”.

Edit CX register.

Currently contains 0000.

Specify 8 bytes to be saved.

Save program to disk.

’ .

Quit DEBUG.

Note: xxxx segment value will vary depending on system memory usage.

The MCGADIS.COM program can now be found in the current directory. It can

be added to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file or run directly, before running Lotus. This program will enable a Hercules Monochrome board or Epson MGA board to be used in monochrome mode, but will not allow a CGA card to be used.

Product Support Bulletin

Subject: Date:

Page:

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide the 80386 Accelerator board test

results, conducted by the Computer Product Support Center, involving the SOTA 386si from SOTA Technology, inc.

The Equity models tested were the Equity I, Equity II Equity I + and Equity le. The Apex models tested were the Apex, Apex Plus and Apex 100. All were tested with Norton Utilities and MS - DOS.

The table below shows compatibility and the Norton SI rating of the various systems.

Model Equity I

Equity I+

Equity/Apex Compatibility with the SOTA 386si

3/02/90

1 of 3

Norton SI

12.0

12.0/16.9

Compatibility Functioned normally with Norton Utilities and

MS- DOS 2.11 Functioned normally with MS - DOS 3.3 and

Norton Utilities at both CPU speeds.

PSB No:

Originator:

S-0111

MS ;. CL5

Equity le

Equity II

Apex

Apex Plus

Apex 100

14.3

15.9

11.5

12.0/16.9

Unable to boot at 10MHz. Performance erratic at 4.77MHz

Functioned normally with MS - DOS 3.2 and Norton Utilities. (Tested only at 7.16MHz.)

Unable to boot at 4.77MHz. Functioned normally at 8MHz with MS - DOS 3.2 and Norton Utilities.

Unable to boot at 9.54MHz. Functioned normally at 4.77MHz with MS - DOS 3.2 and Norton Utilities.

Functioned normally with MS - DOS 3.3 and Norton Utilities.

PSB No: S-0111 Page: 2 of 3

Installation of the board in most of the units was quick and simple to do when following the installation instructions accompanying the boards. Installation of the SOTA 386si in the Equity I and the Equity II is rather difficult. Due to the

amount of disassembly required, we strongly recommend that only Authorized

Service Centers install the board in the Equity I and Equity II.

Installation Instructions

Equity I

1. Remove the following from the main unit: a) upper case

b) rear panel c) front panel d) FDD/power supply block.

2. Follow instructions for a standard installation for the SOTA 386si in an 8088 - based system.

not to prevent reassembly.

folded.

Take care to fold the SOTA connector cable so as

The cable is sturdy and will tolerate being

3. Reassemble the main unit and go through the testing and initialization

procedure outlined in the SOTA manual.

Equity II

1. Remove the following from the main unit: a) upper case b) rear panel

c) front panel

d) FDD/power supply block.

2. Follow instructions for a standard installation for the SOTA 386si in an 8086 - based system. not to prevent reassembly. This will necessitate routing the cable so that it

does not conflict with the power connection to the main system board. The cable is sturdy and will tolerate being folded.

3. Reassemble the main unit and go through the testing and initialization procedure outlined in the SOTA manual.

Take care to fold the SOTA connector cable so as

PSB No: S-0111 Page: 3 of 3

Our Computer Product Support Center receives numerous calls requesting information and recommendations on 80386 Accelerator boards for use with the Equity and Apex (8088-

We have found that the SOTA 386si may meet your requirements and are

competitively priced!

Although these boards were tested by qualified product support specialists,

Epson America makes no representations that these third party products are compatible with all hardware configurations or software applications.

We recommend that you certify these products with your specific hardware and software requirements and consult with the third party vendor to ensure reliable operation.

SOTA Technology can be reached at:

SOTA Technology, Inc. 657 N. Pastoria Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Phone: (408) 245 - 3366

and 8086 - based) personal computers.

Product Support Bulletin

Subject: Compatibility Information for the Equity le and Manzana Microsystems

External 5.25” 1.2MB Floppy Drive

Date:

Page:

This bulletin is intended to provide the results of compatibility testing conducted

by the Computer Product Support Center with the PS/2 Connection Kit B, PS/2 Adapter Board and the 5.25” 1.2MB external floppy drive from Manzana Microsystems.

The PS/2 Adapter was found to support the external floppy drive as a 1.2MB floppy drive in the Equity le. on pages 14 and 15 in the PS/2 External Drive Manual, supplied by Manzana. The only special accommodation necessary is the use of supplied adhesive

anchor pads and cable ties to secure the PS/2 Adapter board to the mounting bracket for the DB - 37 connector. This procedure is also outlined on page 15 of the PS/2 External Drive Manual.

MS - DOS version 3.0 or higher is required for installation of the PS/2 Adapter Board and use of the external drive as a 1.2MB floppy disk drive. The Equity le is shipped with MS - DOS 3.3.

Manzana includes the XDrive disk utilities with their PS/2 Adapter card. These utilities include a device driver for the external floppy disk drive, a drive letter query utility and an information utility for use with the external 1.2MB floppy disk drive.

9/12/89

1 of 1

The instructions should be followed as described

PSB No:

Originator: KAS

S-0103

Manzana Microsystems can be contacted at the following address:

Manzana Microsystems 7334 Hollister Avenue, Suite B P.O. Box 2117 Goleta, CA 93118 Tel. (805) 968 - 1387

Product Support Bulletin

Subject :

Date: Page:

This bulletin is intended to provide a summary of the results of compatibility testing of the Equity le with Novell local- area networking products. This information was provided to Epson by Novell’s Independent Manufacturing

Support Program. The Equity le was tested at 10MHz, as a workstation only. Advanced Netware 2.0A

Network Boards Gateway G - Net

IBM

Novell

Novell RXNet

Proteon Pronet SMC/PD Arcnet

Novell Netware Compatibility Test Results for the Equity le

8/11/89

1 of 1

For complete test result reports, contact Novell, Inc.

Token Ring

NE1000

Workstation Remote Boot

Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed

Failed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed

PSB No: Originator: KAS

S-0093

Advanced Netware 2.15

Network Boards AT&T Gateway G - Net

IBM

Micom

Novell

Proteon Pronet SMC/PD Arcnet 3Com 3Com

Advanced Netware 2.1

Network Boards

Novell

StarLAN

PC-Net II

Token Ring

Nl5010 NE1000 RXNet

3c501 3c503

Intelligent NIC

Workstation

Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed

Workstation Remote Boot

Passed

Remote Boot Not Tested Not Tested Failed Not Tested Failed Failed

Not Tested Passed

Not Tested

Failed

Product Support Bulletin

Subject:

Date: Page:

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide the results of compatibility testing

conducted by the Computer Product Support Center with the Sysgen

OmniBridge controller and Bridge - Filer external floppy disk drives.

Equity I

Equity II

Equity and Apex Series Compatibility with the Sysgen OmniBridge Controller and BridgeFiler External Floppy Drives

04/11/90

1 of 3

PSB No:

Originator:

Comments

The Equity I was found compatible with the OmniBridge

controller. It was able to support one or two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and 1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity II was found to be totally incompatible with the OmniBridge controller.

S-0088B KAS

Equity III

Equity I +

Equity le

The Equity III was found compatible with the OmniBridge controller. It was able to support one or two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and 1.44M) or

normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity I + was found compatible with the

OmniBridge controller.

two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The

external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity le was found compatible with the OmniBridge

controller. It was able to support only one external

floppy drive, unlike the other models tested. The drive

could be used as a high density (1.2Mb and 1.44Mb) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drive.

It was able to support one or

PSB No: S-0088B

Page: 2 of 3

Equity II +

Equity lIe

Equity Ill +

Equity 386SX

The Equity II + was found compatible with the OmniBridge controller. two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity Ile was found compatible with the OmniBridge controller. two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity III + was found compatible with the OmniBridge controller. two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

144M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Equity 386SX was found compatible with the OmniBridge controller. two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

144M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

It was able to support one or

Equity 386/20

APEX

APEX +

The Equity 386/20 was found compatible with the OmniBridge controller. two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Epson APEX was found compatible with the OmniBridge controller. two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

The Epson APEX was found compatible with the OmniBridge controller. two external disk drives (daisychained) together. The external drives could be used as high density (1.2M and

1.44M) or normal (360K and 720K) disk drives.

It was able to support one or

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